Buoyant propulsion device for vessels



y 1949- .1. VIGNEAULT 2,477,103

- BUOYANT PROPULSION DEVICE FOR VESSELS Filed March 8, 1946 1 w? @WQZI/Z Patented July 26, 1949 orrics BUOYANT PROPULSION DFWIGE FOR- V'ESSELS Canada Application March 8, 194s;seriai N b-settte In Canada March'-10; '-1-945-- 4 Claims. 1..

Thepresent invention pertains to a: novel buoyant vessel suitable for the keel structure-of any desiredcform of superstructure for carrying cargo or passengers.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is highly buoyant and relatively inexpensive. Another object is to provide a powerful and effective means of propulsion.

In the accomplishment of these objects, the device comprises two parallel series of spaced body floats secured in fixed relation by a suitable framework. Between each pair of adjacent body floats is mounted a propeller float carrying a number of propeller blades. A propeller shaft is passed through each series of floats and is fixed to the propeller floats therein. The propeller shafts are geared to a drive shaft which, in turn, is driven by a suitable power plant.

The invention also embodies a novel steering system comprising two rudders mounted forward in the floats and a third rudder mounted aft and central. The three rudders are geared together and operated simultaneously from a tiller arm on the aft rudder.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device;

Figure 2 is a plan View;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the propellers;

Figure 4 is a detail cross section, and

Figure 8 is a rear end view.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

Two rows of spaced cylindrical floats l are arranged in parallel relation lengthwise of the boat. Between each pair of consecutive floats is disposed a. propeller float 2 of the same diameter but considerably shorter axis, as shown in Figure 4. A propeller shaft 3 is passed through each set of axially alined floats, being secured at 4 to the propeller floats and passed loosely through the larger floats.

At the forward end of each row of floats is provided a bow float 5 secured to the foremost float l. The two floats 5 are joined by tie rods 6. A bumper rail 1 extends rearwardly from each bow float, at the outer side of the alined floats, while the foremost floats l are further secured by a cross guide 8. A curved cross guide 9 ties the stern floats I together.

Rails I!) connect the guide 8 to the guide 9 (CLIISQIQ).

25- between the al'ined series of floats: Propeller blades i l are mounted on theperipher of each propellerfloa-t il, andzeach ,setof blades is shielded by a coveraplate l-Zpxtend-ing from-the adjacent railwl-wtothecorresponding bumper rail [1.

A vertical shaft I4 is mounted in each foremost float I and carries at its upper end a sprocket wheel l5. A rear tie it between the stern floats l journals another vertical shaft H, on the upper end of which is a sprocket Wheel l8. A sprocket chain I9 is passed around the three wheels I 4, l4, l8. Rudders 20 are mounted on the lower ends of the shafts l4, and a tiller arm 2! is mounted on the upper end of the shaft ll. The lower end of the shaft l'l carries a third rudder 22.

Between the rails I0 is mounted a drive shaft 23 driven by a suitable power plant (not shown). A transverse shaft 24 is journalled across the stern and is geared to the drive shaft 23 by bevel gears 25. Similarly the cross shaft 24 is connected to the propeller shafts 3 by bevel gears 26.

A pair of keel strips 21 extend from the bow floats 5 and are fastened to the body floats l by ties 28 to prevent them from turning.

The propeller shafts are thereby driven in opposite directions, and the propeller blades are pitched to propel in the same direction. The direction of the vessel is reversed by reversing the drive shaft 23 in any usual manner, while the arrangement of three rudders enables sharp turning if desired.

The structure is of high buoyancy and may be equipped with any desired superstructure to carry passengers or cargo. Unusual propeller capacity is afforded by the described arrangement of propeller drums and blades. Said propeller blades l I are adjustable on their axis.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made Without departing from the scope of theinvention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A buoyant vessel comprising two parallel series of spaced body floats, a framework securing said floats in fixed relation, propeller floats rotatably mounted between said body floats, propeller blades on said propeller floats, means for rotating said propeller floats, a vertical keel strip beneath each series of floats, and means securing each strip to the corresponding body floats.

2. A buoyant vessel comprising two parallel series of spaced body floats, a framework securing said floats in fixed relation, propeller floats rotatably mounted between said body floats, propeller blades on said propeller floats, a propeller shaft passed through each series of floats and fixed to the propeller floats, a bow float at the forward end of each series, each bow float having an upwardly and forwardly sloping bottom, and means for rotating said shafts.

3. A buoyant vessel comprising two parallel series of spaced body floats, a framework securing said floats in fixed relation, propeller floats rotatably mounted between said body floats, propeller blades on said propeller'floats, said blades being axially adjustable, means for rotating said propeller floats, vertical rudder shafts rotatably mounted in the foremost bodyfloats, another vertical rudder shaft mounted in said framework between said series and to the rear thereof, rudders carried by said rudder shafts, and means for rotating said rudder shafts.

4. A buoyant vessel comprising two parallel series of spaced body floats, a framework securing said floats in fixed relation, propeller floats rotatably mounted between said body floats, propeller blades on said propeller floats, a propeller shaft passed through each series of floats and flxed to the propeller floats, means for rotating said shafts, vertical rudder shafts rotatably mounted in the foremost body floats, another vertical rudder shaft mounted in said framework between said series and to the rear thereof, rudders carried by said rudder shafts, sprocket wheels on said rudder shafts, a chain entrainin-g said wheels, and a tiller arm on the last named rudder shafts.

JOSEPH VIGNEAULT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 21,918 Winans et al Oct. 26, 1858 831,636 Suhm et al Sept. 25, 1906 919,782 Sharp Apr. 27, 1909 1,731,493 Harris Oct. 15, 1929 1,736,904 Desaye Nov. 26, 1929 1,835,613 Waller Dec. 8, 1931 

